Hostilities and violence against civilians in the Central African Republic must stop says UN humanitarian chief

(Bangui/Geneva, 20 February 2014): UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Dr. Michel Sidibe, and Assistant Secretary-General of the UN Department of Safety and Security, Ms. Mbaranga Gasarabwe completed their three-day mission in the Central African Republic today with a call for an end of hostilities and horrendous acts of violence against innocent and defenseless civilians of all communities.

The delegation travelled today to Bossangoa (Ouham district) in the north-western part of the country, accompanied by the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Dr. Aicha L. Abdullahi.

In the Bossangoa area, the delegation saw entire villages that had been burnt down and listened to communities’ stories of grave human rights violations, sexual violence, losses and suffering. Attacks by armed groups since 5 December have forced over tens of thousands of people out of their homes. 30,000 people are still displaced at the Ecole Liberte and Eveche.

“The killing of innocent people, looting and burning of entire villages must stop. Security needs to be restored so that people can go back home and not live in fear. Those engaging in violence bear the responsibility for ending this conflict”, said Valerie Amos.

UN agencies and humanitarian partners are scaling up their delivery of life-saving aid as fast as security and access conditions allow. However, access to people in need continues to be severely constrained by active hostilities, attacks on aid workers and assets and interference into relief activities. The humanitarian community is also calling on donors to give generously to support humanitarian response efforts in CAR.